Timing at this point is critical

We hear the phrase 'death watch': the vigil leading up to an expected demise. Well, how about a 'life watch,' specifically with the anticipated rebound of the economy in mind?

Since the economic doldrums the world began sinking into last year, there has been plenty of press and speculation. There followed much press and speculation about whether or when industry and the financial world were poised to regain strength.

We hear the phrase 'death watch': the vigil leading up to an expected demise. Well, how about a 'life watch,' specifically with the anticipated rebound of the economy in mind?

Since the economic doldrums the world began sinking into last year, there has been plenty of press and speculation. There followed much press and speculation about whether or when industry and the financial world were poised to regain strength.

At times, some might feel it's a bit like the blow by blow of a boxing match: he's getting back on his feet, ready for a comeback, no, he's slumping to his knees again.

In the news one day might be talk of a stock market rally, followed some time later by reports of dropping-off expectations.

The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council in its latest report says the recession appears to be slowing in the region. It's too early, however, to say whether significant recovery is around the corner. Plenty of factors come into play regarding troubled sectors, but one factor remains steady at this point, and that is the aging working population.

We've heard it many times before, and it is one of the big challenges the region faces in the hopes of a more robust economy in the long term.

On the other hand, APEC also reports that, of the people who have left for work in the West, there are some returning to the eastern provinces because of the slumping oil industry.

Here's where timing comes into play in the effort to do better than the status quo in the region.

Any push to get infrastructure projects in high gear are critical at this point to open as many jobs as possible, in the hopes of retaining those returning. Certainly this funding boost was designed by government as a temporary measure to get more people working. But now's the time when it could pay off double, keeping more young Nova Scotians in Nova Scotia.

It would buy some time until local industries do indeed see stronger recovery and open more long-term jobs.